“A SOCIAL BLACKGUARD.”

Shannon News, 7 August 1925, Page 3

“A SOCIAL BLACKGUARD.”

BRANDED BY THE JURY. AUCKLAND, August 6. in the Supreme Court, Norman Angus, on a charge of rape, was found not guilty by the jury, who at the same time asked Judge Reed to inform ~ accused that he was a social blackguard. The foreman said the circumstances under which the misconduct took place'rendered it incredible that there had been resistance on the girl’s part.

His Honour said he thoroughly agreed ■ with the jury’s finding. Addressing accused he said: “Rrisoner, you will he discharged. Your act was the act of a blackguard who took advantage of this girl, who is. a little soft. You cannot be punished, in this court, but your conduct will he remembered. I hope it will he a warning to you.” , James Darvern, charged with breaking and entering the premises of Hardwick and Co., was found not guilty after hearing evidence by Wildermoth and Rea, sentenced previously to two years’ reformative detention for their part in the burglary. Judge Herdman pointed out to the jury that it was dangerous to convict on the uncorroborated evidence of accomplices.